Method of ornamenting coil spring wristbands



March 27, 1951 L. H. KNIBB 2,546,603

METHOD OF' ORNAMENTING COIL SPRING WRISTBANDS March 27, 1951 l.. H. KNIBB 2,546,603

METHOD OF ORNAMENTING COIL SPRING WRISTBANDS Filed Dec. '7, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2A ZZV ,5 ZZQQ 36 g (HI-HIM llh' .9 I l INVENToR.

y @Qymf Patented Mar. 27, 1951 METHOD F ORNAMENTING CGH, SPRING WRISTBANDS Leroy H. Knihh, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 7, 1948, Serial No. 63,908

2 Claims.

The invention relates to the ornamentation of wristwatch hands or the like of the coil spring type, and more particularly to a machine for use in selectively forming recesses in one or more of the faces of the convolutions of the Wire to produce the desired pattern on a preformed coil.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine for selectively deflecting convolutions oi the coil for use in cutting recesses in the outer faces of the band to produce a desired pattern or design.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method for selectiveh7 forming recesses in the band for ornamentation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for selectively deiiecting convolutions of the coil for forming recesses in the outer faces of the band by which different patterns or designs may be produced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character which is comparatively simple in construction and eflicient in use.

Other objects will appear from the detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

in the drawings- Fig. l is a plan view of a machine embodying the invention, parts being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partial longitudinal section on an enlarged scale illustrating the deector plates in their normal position and a coil positioned therein;

Fig. 5 is a similar View illustrating alternate convolutions of the band deected into position for a recess-forming operation;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line Evoi Fig. 5:

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 'l-l of Fig. 6; A

Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on line l-S of Fig. 2, the band being omitted;

Fig. 9 is a plan illustrating an ornamental pattern with staggered rows of recesses;

Fig. l0 is a section similar to Fig. 5 illustrating the deiiector plates arranged for deecting alternate pairs of the convolutions of the coil; and

Fig. 11 is a plan of a portion of a hand with recesses cut therein in staggered relation in alternate pairs of convolutions of the coil.

The machine of the invention is adapted for use in ornamenting hands formed of an elongated resilient strip, such as spring wire preformed into a coil with convolutions having straight inner and outer portions I0 connected hy semi-circular connecting bends il. The hand is usually provided with iittings at its ends for attachrnent to a wristwatch or the like. In practice, it is desirable to form or cut recesses in one or both of the straight portions of the convolutions for ornamental eifect. lt is also advantageous to form the recesses by cuts extending longitudinally by the band hy suitable cutting tools or by grinding wheels. The invention provides a machine for selectively deflecting convolutions of the band rom a coplanar or coaxial position for forming recesses in the deiiected convolutions by a rectilinearly moving tool or grinding Wheels traveling across the straight portions of the convolutions. The invention also provides for variations in the convolutions deflected for varying the pattern or design fordifferent ornamental eiects.

The invention is exemplified in a machine which comprises a base 2i), upstanding ends 2l, and sides 2li which are rigidly secured to form a rigid box-like supporting structure for the mechanism hereinafter described.

Before inserting the band into the machine, it is stretched to separate the convolutions of the coil and supported in stretched condition by spreader means which comprises a har 2l and upstanding ribs ZB which are inserted oet-Ween the convolutions and retain them spread apart during the recess-forming operation. The ribs 28 are slightly inclined transversely, conforma'oly to the pitch angle of the straight portions lil in one face of the coil. One purpose or spreading the convolutions apart is prevent the accumulation of dust or cuttings on the coil during the recess-forming operation. The bar 2l of the spreader-means may be positioned endwise of the supporting structure by a stop 29 which is on one of the end-supports 2i (Fig. Li) and a pin 2W (Fig. i) which is removably held the opposite end-support 2l. The upper bar 55 at said. opposite end has a cutaway to permit the har 2l to be inserted endwise from said opposite end when the pin 2da is removed from end-support '2l at said opposite end. When the El is inserted in its operative position, pin 2S@ will lock` said bar against endvvise movement. The spreader-means and the blank coil are pre-assembled for placement in the deecting mechanism.

Deflector plates generally designated 3Q, in number corresponding to the number of convolutions in the coil, are positioned between ends 2l of the supporting structure, fit between the sides 2li, and extend transversely at a slight angle corrsponding substantially to the pitch-angle of one of the straight portions Il) of the convolutions of the coil. Plates @il are vertically slidable in the Supporting structure and are spaced apart by ribs 3| on the inner faces of sides 24 correspondingly to the convolutions of the coil while it is held stretched by spreader-means. Each reflector plate 3G is adapted to receive and hold or grip one convolution of the coil. For this purpose each plate 3l? is provided with curved notches 33 in which t the opposite connecting bends il of one convolution of the coil. While the notches 33 are normally positioned they are aligned longitudinally of the supporting structure, so that the assembled coil and spreadermeans can be inserted endwise through the series of plates 3i! and positioned so that each convoluporting structure limit the upward movement of f plates 33.

For ornamenting the band with rows of recesses 4S formed in alternate convolutions of the wire coil, the convolutions in which the recesses are to be out, are deflected upwardly above the plane of the other convolutions of the coil so that the recesses in the deflected convolutions may be cut by a gang of grinder wheels which travel transversely across the reflected convolutions. For ornamenting the band as illustrated in Fig. 9, with rows of staggered recesses in alternate convolutions of the wire coil, the intermediate conn volutions are deflected upwardly for a second operation to cut the rows of staggered recesses in the deflected convolutions while the previously recessed convolutions are retained in a lower position. In this cutting operation, the machine may be magnetically held in different assigned positions on a suitable support for the rectilinear traverse of a series of grinding wheels or cutters across the upwardly deflected convolutions of the coil.

The deflector plates are operable to shift in series alternate convolutions of the coil. A pair of shafts 50 t in and extend through holes 53 in one series of alternating plates 3Q and are adapted to raise and lower said series of plates. A pair of shafts 5l fit in and extend through holes 5t in the intermediate series of plates 3i! and are adapted to raise and lower said series of plates. The plates 3c which are fitted to and shiftable by shafts 5t, are provided with clearance holes 56 around shafts 5i to permit said plates to move relatively to the plates operatively connected to shafts `5 l Plates 3) which are tted to and shiftable by shafts 5l, are provided with clearance holes 55 to permit said plates and shafts 5i to move relatively to shafts El).

The pairs of shafts il and 5l are selectively operable to raise and lower the deflector plates 3d operably connected to said pairs of shafts, respectively. The shafts 5t are cross-connected for conjoint raising and lowering movements by bars 58 in which they are clamped by screws 6B. The shafts 5| are cross-connected by a bar E32` I sets of plates 3G.

in which they are clamped by screws @3. Bars 58 and 62 are selectively operable to raise or lower the deflector plates 3Q by mechanism which includes a pair of cams 59 which are rotatably and coaxially mounted on studs 59a which are screw-threaded into upstanding brackets E4 which are Xedly secured to the base 2G. Each cam 59 is provided with an arm @5, and these arms are connected together by a lever ear for conjoint operation of said cams. Bars 58 which connect the outer ends of shafts Eil, are provided with studs 6l which extend into cam slots 68 in cams 59. Bars 62 are provided with studs 69 which extend through cam slots lil in cams 5S, respectively. When studs tl, 69 are positioned at the circumferential centers of slots 68 and 1li, or in their neutral position, the plates 3d will be in longitudinal alignment or in their normal position. When cams 59 are rotated by operating bar 6 in one direction from their neutral position, one end portion of cam slots S8 will raise studs 5l and lift shafts et and the vset of plates operatively connected thereto, and the diametrically opposite end portions of cam slots will lower studs ES and the alternate set of plates to the base 29. The convolutions of the coil held by the set of plates operatively connected to shafts r5d will then be deilected upwardly to above the plane of the convolutions of the coil gripped by the plates Se which are operatively connected to shafts 5i. When earns 59 are rotated in the opposite direction from their neutral position, one end portion of earn slots 'lll will raise studs ES and lift the set of plates operatively connected to shafts 5i, and the diametrically opposite end portions of slots 68 will lower studs Eil and the plates operatively connected to shafts 5l). rlhis will deflect upwardly the convolutions of the coil which are gripped by shafts 5l for a recess-forming operation on said coil. A spring-pressed datent 'i2 is adapted to yieldingly seat in notches i3 in cams 59 vto spot the cams in their neutral position and in positions for the alternate operations of the This exemplifies means for shifting the plates 3B into neutral position for the insertion of the coil and the placement of the spreader means in the plates and for alternately shifting the sets of plates operatively conn nected to pairs of shafts 5l?, 5l and deiiecting the convolutions of the coil held by the respective sets of blades.

The operation will be as follows: rEhe operat ing bar will be shifted into its neutral position so that all of the plates will be longitudinally aligned. A preformed blank coil will be stretched with the ribs 28 on bar '2l inserted between the convolutions of the coil to hold it stretched. When pin 29e is removed, the bar 2l with the coil thereon will be inserted endwise until its first inserted end will abut against stop 25 on one of the end-supports 2l. Pin 292 is then replaced in opposite end-support 2i and the bar '21 will be locked against endwise movement and seated on bars 2l. The lower straight portions of the convolutions willL rest on bar 2l between ribs 2S and the convolutions will be aligned lon gitudinally. When the delector plates are in neutral position, the assembled and stretched coil can then be inserted endwise through the cut-n aways 34 in plates 3l). The connecting bends ii of the convolutions of the coil will be positioned in the opposed notches 33 in the plates, respectively. The bar 21' will facilitate the insertion of the coil in the plates 30. Each convolution of the coil will then be held or griped in one of the deilector plates 39 and be stationarily supported while said plates are in their normal position. Lever 99 will then loe lifted oi normal position to shift cams and lift h Si?. rShe series or" deiiector plates 39 o1. connected to shafts `lill, will detect c l tions held in said plates, as 1 ustra' .d in 5 and 6, while the series ot dence op ei tively connected to shafts li l, will he lowered from their normal position. A oi grinding wheels or cutting tools will he operated across the top of the straight portions i9 of the delect-ed convolutions on the line afec ci Fig. 5 to out rows of recesses 69 in the deected convolutions of the coil. Lever 95 will then shifted to its neutral position to lo 'er the deflected convolutions to their normal position. W hen it desired to form rows of staggered recesses in the convolutions, the machine ant the ill he relatively shifted and set to cut the recewes in the alternate serJ of convoluti'uis, and lever will be lowered irorn its neutral position to shift cams 59 so that cani slots 19 will lift shafts and the deflector'plates S9 operatively connected to said shafts lower the plates operatively connected to shafts 59, This will deect the con- Volutions 1oetween those which have been previously recessed. The recessing tools will then he operated to form recesses in the deflected ccnvolutions in staggered relation to the previously formed recesses. After the recessing tools have been thus operated, lever @il will ce shifted its neutral position the recessed coil with the spreader plate willhe removed from the inachine for a succeeding operation. During cutting operations the dust or cuttings will drop between the spaces in the stretched con he tween the plates 99, so that it will not obstruct the movement of the deilector plates. This exemplies means for selectively shifting series of elements for deflecting one set of convolutions of the coil relatively to another set.

The delector plates are adapted to he dit ferently arranged on shafts 59 and 5l for variation in the pattern or" the recesses in the coil, for example, to form staggered recesses in alternating pairs of contiguous convolutions of the coil, as illustrated in Fig. 11. For this purpose alterhating pairs of contiguous plates 39 are operatively connected to shafts 59 and 5l, respectively, With the delector plates thus arranged, the operation of shafts 50 will deiiect alternating pairs of contiguous convolutions7 as illustrated in Fig. l0, for forming rows of recesses in the deected pairs of convolutions, and the operation of shafts 5I will deeet intermediate pairs of convolutions for forming recesses in staggered rows in the convolutions deflected si said shafts. The operation of the machine with this arrangement of plates will be the same as that hereinbefore described, except that the convolutions will be deflected in alternating pairs of contiguous convolutions, away from the intermediate pairs. This exemplies the manner in which the deflector plates may re-arranged the shafts 59, 5| in the supporting structure for variation in the recessing to produce d arent patterns or ornamental effects.

The invention exe machine for use ii of resilient wire, w provides selective deflection of the convolutions ci" the coil for cutting recesses in diiierent paterns. .he Constr., c tion is simple, efficient, and results in accurate cutting of the wire to form desired patterns on the coil.

The invention alsoV exemplifies an improved method cf forming recesses in the band for ornamentation.

The invention is not to be understood as limited to the details described, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. That improvement in ornamenting a preformed coil of resilient wire, which comprises: stretching the coil to spread apart the convolutions, supporting the convolutions of the coil, deiiecting while the coil is stretched a group of convolutions into a diierent plane from another group, and forming lines of recesses in one group of convolutions while the coil is stretched.

2. That improvement in ornamenting a preformed coil. of resilient wire having substantially `faces connected by curved bends, which coinprises; stretching the coil to spread apart its convolutions, supporting the convolutions of the coil, alternately deecting transversely of the coil, and while the coil is stretched, groups or" convolutions into an ciset plane, and alternately cutting' lines of recesses in the groups.

LEROY H. KNIBB.

REFERENCES BETER) following references are of record in the this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS The file of Number 

